Jacob hillengass



(No Model.)

J. HILLENGASS.

SGAFFOLD CLAMP.

N0. 520,051. Patented May 22,1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB HILLENGASS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SCAFFOLD-CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,051, dated May 22,1894.

Application filed December 22, 1893. Serial No. 494,395. (No model.)

To all? whom it may concern.-

1 3e 1t known that I, JAooB HILLENGASS, a citizen of the United States,residing at IVashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Scaffold-Clamps; and I do declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventlon,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in scafiolding adapted especiallyfor use in the interior of buildings where metallic ceilings are to beconstructed, or plastering or other ce1l1ng work is to be done.

The objects of the invention are to provide means by which a scaffoldmay be readily bu1lt and removed without waste of time or material, andto insure strength and security to the structure.

The invention consists in a bracket-clamp of the improved constructionhereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andalso in the combination of said bracket-clamp with an upright providedwith a series of slots or openings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective v1ew of a bracket-clampembodying my invent on. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same applied toan upright, and showing a scafiold stringer in position, and Fig. 3illustrates a modification.

The bracket consists of a frame or bodyportion A, a lever B, andparallel bolts 0 and D.

The body portion comprises arms a a the ends of which are coiled aroundthe respect- We ends of the upper bolt 0, which latter is provided witha head a at one end, and is threaded at its opposite end to receive anut 0 Each of the arms a is bent at the point x to provide a horizontalseat 0 to receive the stringer E as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The loopend of the body portion or frame, is bent around the lower bolt D, andprojects outwardly at an angle to the seat 0 to constitute a stop F tolimit the outward movement of the lever B. This lever B is fulcrumed onthe bolt D by bending said lever around the bolt. The inwardlyprojecting short arm I) of said lever is preferably hooked at its innerend, while the long arm I) extends outwardly as shown. The bolt D isprovided with a head d, and a nut cl.

The device as thus constructed is adapted for use as follows: The clampis applied from the top of the upright G, the latter extending betweenthe arms of the clamp as seen in Fig. 2. The upright is formed with aseries of edge slots or openings g into one of which the upper bolt 0 isinserted. One end of the stringer E is then placed upon the short end ofthe lever B and the weight of the stringer depresses said short end 19of the lever, and throws the long end I) upwardly in contact with theouter side of the stringer E as shown in Fig. 2.

It will of course be understood that ordinarily four uprights G, fourclamps, and two stringers E are required for a complete scaffold, eachof the four ends of the stringers being secured in the manner described,but the above description of a single fastening will suffice to conveyan understanding of my improvement.

- It will be obvious that by the use of my bracket-clamp I entirelyavoid the use of nails in scaffold building, and the consequent loss oftime and waste of lumber caused by the splitting of the ends of thestringers in taking the scaffolding apart.

The series of holes or slots in the uprights permits the adjustment orregulation of the height of the scaffold as will be clearly understood.

The construction and relative arrangement of the clamp and upright avoida direct vertical strain on any of the parts, the strain being diagonalor across the width of the upright, and therefore evenly distributed. It

is apparent that pressure or weight on the stringer E, and the short armI) of the lever will tend to firmly clamp the long end of the leveragainst the outer side of the stringer. To remove the scaifold it isonly necessary to pull the long end of the lever outwardly, thusraisingthe short end I) and allowing the stringer to be withdrawn. Thestop F limits the outward movement of the lever.

While I prefer the coiled wire device above described, it will beapparent that the construction of my clamp may be modified with outdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example in lieuof the metal wire frame I may employ a cast or wrought metal framehaving the end bars integral with the sides, and fulcrum the lever onthe lower cross-bar as shown in the modification in Fig. 3.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A bracket-clamp consisting of the combination with a frame comprisingend bars and bent sides, substantially as described, of a leverfnlcrumed on the lower end bar, the short arm of said lever projectinginwardly between the sides of the frame, as set forth.

2. The combination with an upright provided with one or more openings,of a bracket-clamp embracing said upright, and conthe arms of the frame,substantially as de- 30 scribed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB HILLENGASS.

lVitnesses:

F. A. NORTHROP, F. O. MOCLEARY.

